libertarian

[ lib-er-tair-ee-uhn ]

noun

1. a follower of a political philosophy or party that advocates individual liberty achieved by limiting the power of a central government:

   Whether left- or right-leaning, libertarians generally oppose taxation and support free trade.

2. a person who advocates liberty, especially with regard to thought or conduct.
3. a person who maintains the doctrine of free will ( necessitarian ).

adjective

1. of or relating to a political philosophy or party that advocates individual liberty achieved by limiting the power of a central government:

   libertarian views;

   a libertarian economist.

2. advocating or conforming to the principles of liberty.
3. maintaining the doctrine of free will.

libertarian

/ ˌlɪbəˈtɛərɪən /

noun

1. a believer in freedom of thought, expression, etc
2. philosophy a believer in the doctrine of free will Compare determinism

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a libertarian

Derived Forms

• ˌliberˈtarianism, noun

Other Words From

• lib·er·tar·i·an·ism noun
• an·ti·lib·er·tar·i·an adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of libertarian¹

First recorded in 1780–90; libert(y) + -arian

Word History and Origins

Origin of libertarian¹

C18: from liberty

Example Sentences

Disagreements between the self-fashioned libertarians, neoconservatives and nationalists previewed the factions vying for power within the Republican Party, factions which stand to come to the forefront in his next term.

From Salon

Six years ago in this newspaper, I coined the term “rancho libertarian” to describe a political ideology I was observing in many of the Latino men I knew.

From Los Angeles Times

Other reports support the trend of growing bipartisan support and challenge the common narrative that Bitcoin is primarily a right-wing or libertarian phenomenon, according to the 2024 American Bitcoin Survey report from Nakamoto Project.

From Salon

But his audience is overwhelmingly white men who vote and lean libertarian and conservative.

From Salon

Brendon Walsh of “The World Record Podcast” and a comic who has been a guest on “Kill Tony,” identifies as a libertarian.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• autonomous
• constitutional
• egalitarian
• free
• orderly
• popular